PARIS: A French investigating magistrate has issued an international arrest warrant for Riad Salameh, the central bank chief of Lebanon, according to a source close to the case.
Salameh failed to appear for questioning by French investigators who are probing how he accumulated significant assets across Europe, his lawyer stated.
The investigators suspect Salameh of using a complex fraudulent financial system and misusing Lebanese public funds to amass a network of real estate and banking assets over the course of his three-decade tenure as central bank boss. Tuesday’s hearing was intended to provide an opportunity to press charges against him.
Salameh’s lawyer, Pierre-Olivier Sur, claimed that the summons was invalid as it was sent too close to the scheduled date. However, a Lebanese legal source revealed that despite four attempts by police to deliver the summons to the central bank, Salameh was not served with it.
Following Salameh’s failure to appear, the investigating magistrate opted to issue an international arrest warrant. The 72-year-old central bank chief, who has been under investigation in France since July 2021, vehemently denies the accusations.
In recent months, European magistrates have visited Lebanon multiple times to interview Salameh and his associates. Two individuals have already been charged in connection with the case in France.
William Bourdon, a French activist lawyer representing two associations among the plaintiffs, stated that Salameh would eventually be arrested. However, Bourdon noted that the central bank chief was benefiting from the systematic obstruction by certain Lebanese magistrates, which contradicts their obligations towards France.
Lebanese Central Bank Chief Rejects Issuance of Arrest Warrant
Salameh’s lawyer strongly rejected the issuance of the arrest warrant, describing it as an abuse of power. The implications of the warrant are yet to be clarified, as Lebanon does not extradite its nationals. However, Salameh may face potential arrest while traveling to other countries.
In March 2022, France, Germany, and Luxembourg froze assets amounting to 120 million euros ($130 million) that are believed to belong to Salameh. The Paris appeals court is set to examine the legality of the French part of the seizures later this month.
Riad Salameh has held the position of Lebanon’s central bank chief since 1993.
